Monday, 4 March 2024

4th March 2024

 Weather: ESE force 4

Spring like weather this morning (but still cold early), certainly brought in a varied lot of early spring migrants to the island. First in line were Stonechats, no less than 5 today with 2 spotted on the fences even before the obs was reached. Three were still here in the early evening.




Two Goldcrest became the first of its kind to be ringed this year, there were 4 today.

Following the one on Saturday another Blue Tit was in the 'heli' garden, also 8 Woodpigeons flew went south. Two House Sparrows were heard going over and then came down in the SK paddock, a typical scarce spring visitor to Hilbre.

The odd Redwing passes through Hilbre in March when they are returning to their breeding grounds and the first birds of the year landed today, one of the 3 spent the day around the old obs.

Small birds passing through were 3 Skylarks, 3 Siskin, 6 Pied and a Grey Wagtail, also a small passage of Meadow Pipits. Three more Jackdaws headed south east following the few records over the last week.


The 12 Goosanders seen included 10 together, probably the same group as yesterday.

 One of the Goosanders joined the Eiders on the rocks.

 

Brent were counted at 398, they may start drifting away to the north in the next couple of weeks or so.

Five Robins were on the island, 2 or 3 of them are probably passage visitors, one was caught and ringed, and 8 Rock Pipits were identified about the islands, many should breed this year. 

A Raven upset the local Crows. Not much attention was paid to the waders and sea birds but present were 3 Purple Sandpipers, 35 Sanderling and a Bar-tailed Godwit, also 6 Common Scoter and 4 Great Crested Grebes.  It was a good day and felt like things had really started, lets hope it doesn't grind to a halt in the morning !

Photos AS, SRW

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